Honestly, if you missed the NFL action this past weekend, you missed a masterclass in chaos. We just wrapped up a Wild Card round that felt more like a fever dream than a standard playoff bracket. The headline everyone is obsessing over? The score of the NFL game on Monday night where the Houston Texans didn't just beat the Pittsburgh Steelers; they systematically dismantled them 30-6.
It was ugly. It was cold. And for Aaron Rodgers, it might have been the end of the road.
The Monday Night Meltdown in Pittsburgh
The Texans walked into Acrisure Stadium and played like they owned the place. C.J. Stroud was a bit shaky early on—throwing a pick and fumbling twice—but his defense had his back in a way we haven't seen in Houston for years. Most people expected a tight, grimy AFC North-style battle. Instead, we got a blowout.
The turning point was wild. Late in the game, it was actually a close 10-6 affair. Then, Will Anderson Jr. got home for a strip-sack on Rodgers. Sheldon Rankins scooped that ball up and rumbled 33 yards for a touchdown. You could practically hear the air leave the stadium. A few plays later, Calen Bullock stepped in front of a Rodgers pass and took it 50 yards to the house.
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Final score: Texans 30, Steelers 6.
The stats are even more lopsided than the scoreboard. Pittsburgh’s offense was held to a measly 175 total yards. Mike Tomlin has now lost seven straight playoff games, which is a stat that feels impossible given his regular-season pedigree.
Wild Card Weekend Recap: By the Numbers
While the Monday night score of the NFL game took the spotlight, the rest of the weekend was a rollercoaster of comebacks. We saw three different games where the winner trailed in the final three minutes. That’s pure insanity.
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- Rams 34, Panthers 31: Matthew Stafford reminded everyone why he’s a future Hall of Famer. He led a 71-yard drive in two minutes, capped off by a 19-yard touchdown to Colby Parkinson. Bryce Young played his heart out, but the Rams' experience won out.
- Bears 31, Packers 27: Caleb Williams is the real deal. Chicago was down 21-3 at halftime. Let that sink in. Williams threw two late touchdowns, including a 25-yard beauty to D.J. Moore, to secure Chicago's first playoff win since 2010.
- Bills 27, Jaguars 24: Josh Allen did Josh Allen things. He scored a 1-yard "tush push" touchdown with a minute left to break Jacksonville's hearts. Cole Bishop sealed it with an interception.
- 49ers 23, Eagles 19: The defending NFC champs are out. Brock Purdy found Christian McCaffrey for a 4-yard score late in the fourth to send Philly packing.
- Patriots 16, Chargers 3: Drake Maye got his first playoff win in a defensive slugfest. Justin Herbert was sacked five times. It wasn't pretty, but Bill Belichick’s successor is moving on.
Why the Texans' Defense Changes Everything
Everyone talks about C.J. Stroud, but DeMeco Ryans has built a monster on the other side of the ball. This unit is currently the No. 2 scoring defense in the league, and they just proved they can travel.
Woody Marks, the rookie, also stepped up big time. He put up 112 yards on the ground. When you have a rookie running back hitting 100+ yards and a defense scoring two touchdowns, you’re going to win almost every time.
The score of the NFL game isn't just a number here; it's a statement. Houston is heading to New England next, and honestly, the Patriots' offense should be terrified.
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Looking Ahead to the Divisional Round
The bracket is set, and the matchups are mouth-watering.
In the AFC, we have the Buffalo Bills traveling to face the No. 1 seed Denver Broncos. That’s going to be a battle of high-altitude lungs and big arms. Then you have Houston taking their defensive show on the road again to face the Patriots.
Over in the NFC, the San Francisco 49ers have to go to Seattle. The Seahawks have been resting, but the Niners have the momentum. Finally, the Rams head to Chicago in what might be the "Quarterback Battle of the Decade" between the veteran Stafford and the kid Williams.
Your Post-Game Action Plan
- Update your brackets: If you had the Eagles or Packers going deep, it's time to pivot.
- Watch the injury reports: Keep a close eye on Nico Collins. He was carted off during the Texans game, and Houston’s offense looks very different without him.
- Betting leans: The Under has been hitting frequently in these defensive-heavy playoff matchups, especially with the weather getting nastier.
- Set your calendars: Divisional games start Saturday, January 17th.
The road to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara is narrowing. If Wild Card weekend taught us anything, it’s that no lead is safe and the "old guard" quarterbacks like Rodgers and Stafford are facing a serious youth movement. The next score of the NFL game you see might just be another massive upset.